A Home Inspection Just Before Your Final Decision
The strange thing about a home inspection is that it is structured as a “buyer beware” service. Yes, that’s right. There are no guarantees that the information provided will be accurate, free of errors or comprehensive. If the information is found to be faulty or incomplete, then you are out $300 to $800 and there is nothing you can do about it.
This thought makes some people nervous about spending their hard-earned dollars on a subjective professional opinion; however, skipping a professional home inspection can cost buyers tens of thousands of dollars in repair bills and is actually prohibited in some states. To make the most informed decision, real estate agents will present your home inspection as part of the conventional buying process, which is an important part.
At the end of a home inspection, you can reasonably expect a verbal summary and a full written report within one day of the inspector’s visit. You will have a detailed professional opinion of the home you plan on purchasing that tells you all the major positive and negative features.
You will know what repairs are needed now, what repairs will be needed in the near future and what defects may be an issue later on down the road. You’ll get a good idea of the magnitude of the repair costs and you will know what your options are in dealing with the defects discovered. You can expect answers to all your questions and professional service every step of the way.
There are many places for you to find certified home inspectors. Many people browse online, such as the websites for the National Association of Home Inspectors and the American Society of Home Inspectors, as both list certified professionals on their sites.
Friends, family members, neighbors and real estate agents can all point you in the right direction as well. Once you have chosen a company, be sure you attend a home inspection to ask questions, take pictures of defects and learn all you can about your investment.
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